The name breaks down
into two Irish words, Mo Laise: Mo, meaning "my", and Laise, which is a
proper name possibly related to the word for a calf. The final
syllable is pronounced "sh" as in the name, Sean.

The prefix, Mo, is the
equivalent of "my dear... " , and this affectionate
diminutive, to use the technical name for it, is often used in the names
of early Celtic saints. Another example is Mogue, whic, as Mo-Aedh-og, is the name Aedh, preceded by My, and followed by "Og",
meaning "young", as in, "my dear young Aedh".

Molaise was a common name in
sixth century Ireland and Scotland. There was a Molaise of Devenish, and
another - or possibly the same man - of Innismurray, off the coast of
Donegal; there was a different Molaise of Arran, off the North East, with
links to Iona, and an Abbot Laisrean of Iona, also.

The latin form of the name of
both Molaise and Laisrean (pro. Lazrann) is Laserian.